What is the grey/black tube above commodore Mendez' right shoulder? What purpose was it supposed to serve (apart from being decorative)? It isn't in The Galileo Seven, appearing for the first time in The Menagery I and staying in the cockpit during Metamorphosis, Doomsday Machine and The Immunity Syndrome. As we can clearly see in Metamorphosis it is only located on the right side of the shuttle consoles, not on the opposite side (where Kirk is sitting in Menagery and Metamorphosis). (Photo courtesy TrekCore).

i assume it's something like sulu's targeting scanner or spock's widget

It’s the Fetzer Valve.

It connects to the Johnson Rod.

obviously i mean the science station scope thing : P

I believe what the OP is referring to looks like a security camera of some sort.

It's the Flux Capacitor.

oooohhhh

garbage ejection tube?

Good observation, since this item is only present below the right scanner it can’t be a control knob for it, though.

Also, if memory serves, the focusing or magnifying feature on the swing arm scope was achieved by rotating the front half of the sphere? so the other item under discussion would have to be something else.

It's the Flux Capacitor.

No, it’s the oscillation overthruster.

It’s the Fetzer Valve.

Yup! Pretty sure I remember Scotty preparing it with some 3-in-1 oil and some gauze pads.

Yup! Pretty sure I remember Scotty preparing it with some 3-in-1 oil and some gauze pads.

And ball bearings.

It’s all ball bearings these days.

It’s the Fetzer Valve.

It connects to the Johnson Rod.

That must be rather a big Johnson.

That must be rather a big Johnson.

It's not the size, it's the duration of its......

What is the grey/black tube above commodore Mendez' right shoulder? What purpose was it supposed to serve (apart from being decorative)? It isn't in The Galileo Seven, appearing for the first time in The Menagery I and staying in the cockpit during Metamorphosis, Doomsday Machine and The Immunity Syndrome. As we can clearly see in Metamorphosis it is only located on the right side of the shuttle consoles, not on the opposite side (where Kirk is sitting in Menagery and Metamorphosis). (Photo courtesy TrekCore).

The real reason for the nob (and other greebles) being in Menagerie I and in the other episodes except for The Galileo Seven is that in Production Order (and Stardate Order ), The Galileo Seven was first and the nob was not in the Shuttlecraft interior set, yet. The next use of the Shuttlecraft set was in the Menagerie I and for some reason, the production crew thought that the Shuttlecraft interior needed more nobs and other greebles which once installed, stayed for the later episode productions. YMMV .

Maybe there's a real life behind the scenes purpose or it, like a handle for the stage crew to better maneuver and assemble the various interior sections?